Photographic shutter and synchronizing system



0. STEINER Jan. 19, 1943.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER AND SYNCHRONIZING SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 3,1940 6 Sheets-Sheet l I 24229 2-120 2'. Oscar Si ar/we 2 1943- o.STEINER 2,308,725

PHOTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER AND SYNCHRONIZING SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 3,1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 aa- I aa-- 4 i aa-= Inpenior." 0sca'r 630212102,

Jan. 19, 1943. Q STEINER 2,308,725

PHQTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER AND SYNCHRONIZING SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. I5,1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 2421624302: Oscar Sic/ iner,

0. STEINER Jan. 19, $1943.

PHOTOGRAPHIG SHUTTER SYNCHRONIZING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheef 4 OriginalFiled Dog. :5, 1940 I Invenio 2'.-

060a? Steiner, a7l fxh-4 Jan. 19, 1943. o. STEINER 2,303,725

PHCTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER AND SYNCHRONIZING SYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 3,1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inveuio 060a? Steins z",

0. STEINER Jan. 19, 1943a PE'IOTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER AND EYNCHRONIZINGSYSTEM Original Filed Dec. 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 i seem/0s.

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Oscar 3502mm Patented Jan. 19, 1943 PHOTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER AND SYN-CHRONIZIN G SYSTEM Oscar Steiner, Rochester, N.

Y., assignor to The I Folmer Graflex Corporation, Rochester, N. Y.,

a corporation of Delaware Original application December 3, 1940, SerialNo. 368,394. Divided and this application June 19, 1941, Serial No.398,790

30 Claims. 1(CL 67-29) This application is a division of my co-pending.

application Ser. No. 368,394, 1940.

This invention relates to a photographic shutter and synchronizingsystem, and particularly for effecting synchronization of a shutter ofthe so-called grid shutter type with photmflash lamps, and with anothershutter of the camera, thereby obtaining a greatly increased speed ofexposure, in synchronization with the peak of illumination of thephoto-flash lamp.

In'order that theprinciple of the invention may be readily understood, Ihave disclosed two embodiments of the mechanism thereof.

In the drawings-- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the grid shutter whenin a set condition ready to make an exposure;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the three grids that make up thegrid shutter, when in the closed set condition;

Fig. 3 is a detail in elevation of the front grid;

Fig. 4 is a detail in elevation of the central or filed December 3,

stationary grid;

Fig. 5 is a detail in elevation of the back grid;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of Fig. 1, showing the latching andtensioning means;

Fig. 7 is a cross section of Fig. 6 on the line 1--! thereof showing theshutter grids in closed condition;

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the shutter with the shutter cover plateand the shutter grids removed:

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail of thelower grid 7 guide boss;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the grid shutter shown in closedcondition;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the shutter grids when the shutter isin 9. released or rundown condition, as in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the shutter, the shutter having beenreleased, and the grids having reached a position wherein the shutter isopen;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the shutter grids when in thecondition shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 13a is a side elevation partly in section, showing the applicationof my invention to a focal plane camera using the mirror for capping thegrid shutter; I

Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the grid shutter as applied to astandard between-the-lens'shutter, the grid shutter being in closedcondition;

Fig. 15 is a left side elevation of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 14,

but showing the shutter released, the shutter grids being shown in thefully opened condition;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 14, but wherein the shutter has beenoperated and is in closed condition prior to resetting;

Fig. 18 is an elevation of the the shutter shown inFig. 14; I

Fig. 19 is a front elevation of a camera showing the grid shutterapplied to a standard between-the-lens shutter and connected forphotoflash synchronization; and I Fig. 20 is a diagram showing theduration of flash illumination, having indicated thereon the portion offlash used when making an exposure with a grid shutter. 7

Important objects of this invention are to provide a shutter forobtaining very rapid exposures that are of relatively high eillciency;to provide means for coupling a high-speed shutter to a conventionalbetween-the-lens shutter and which is to be operated thereby; to providea front grid used in high-speed shutter having grids that permit anextremely short movement of the masses constituting the shutter grids;to provide a highspeed grid shutter that can be attached to a camera andsynchronized therewith; and to provide a shutter that can besynchronized with any of the flash'bulbs now manufactured.

This invention relates to new high-speed shutters using movable gridsinstead. of the usual leaves'or curtain. There have been numerousattemptsto supply a shutter that can be used either as abetween-the-lens shutter or a shutter to be attached to a lens barrel,operating either before the lens or behind the lens, to enable theoperator to make a very rapid exposure. There are available numerousso-called high-speed shutters, but the highest speed in any shutterother than a focal plane shutter that I have been able to test isoperated under of a second. This is not suillcient speed to stop motionin certain types of pictures, as, for instance, the various sports,automobile racing, etc. The focal plane shutter is capable of givingspeeds of 91 of a second and higher, but when using this type of shutterthere is always a displacement or distortion of the image.

Another drawback of the focal plane shutter in high-speed picture makingarises when photoflash bulbs are being used. It is now possible tosynchronize certain of the photo-flash bulbs with focal plane shuttersto obtain fairly satisfactory results. Nevertheless the saiddisplacement or distortion is maintained, and the flash bulb must have aduration of usable light of around thirty milliseconds. These flashbulbs are sold in rather small quantities and are hard to secure, andthe cost is considerably more than of the flash bulb with a shorterlight peak.

. Another great disadvantage of the focal plane shutter with respect tothe shutter herein disclosed is that if a flash bulb has a peak of, say,one million lumens seconds, the focal plane shutter, in making anexposure, uses a very narrow slot when the most rapid speeds areobtained. In a representative focal plane shutter, this slot or openingis approximately A; of an inch wide, and in a 4 x 5 camera, such slothas to travel four inches.- Actually, it only travels of an inch in ti eof a second, and the flash duration to be available has to be sufficientto allow the aperture to travel entirely across the focal plane of thecamera. Thus, if the travel is four inches, and the slot is of an inch,it requires 32 milliseconds for the curtain to travel entirely acrossthe focal plane. This would necessitate a lamp maintaining asufficiently high illumination for 32 milliseconds, even though anexposure of A of a second is being made.

In my present invention, however, if the exposure is ,5 of a second, thepeak of illumination would only have to be supplied in excess of onemillisecond. It is a well-known fact in the manufactuer of flash bulbsthat either a long duration of flash with a fairly low peak, or a veryhigh peak of illumination of very short duration is possible. The greatmajority of lamps that are manufactured today have a rather short peaklasting from five to eight milliseconds. Such a lamp has become thestandard and it is readily obtainable on the market at a very low price.

, In the use of my invention, employing a grid shutter, a maximumshutter opening of 60 per cent can easily be obtained, by reason of theemployment of three grid plates in face-to-face relation (one of whichis preferably stationary and the other two of which are preferably movedsimultaneously in opposite directions), the bars of which plates are allflat and of substantially the same cross dimension, being verymaterially less than the cross width of each of the spaces of the plate,so that when the flat bars of all three grid plates are superposed, theydo not, in the disclosed embodiment of the invention, obstruct in excessof forty per cent of the total area within the rim of each grid plate,as will be evident from the figures of the drawings, and particularlyFigs. 3, 4, 5 and '7. Therefore, I can the same construction as what isshown in Figs. 1 to 13, and which, therefore, is not again shown indetail as to all the said elements or parts excepting so far as isnecessary to indicate slight desired changes in certain of said parts)is mounted on the lens barrel of a lens fitted to a between-the-lensshutter, the grid shutter being operated by one member or part of thebetweenthe-lens shutter. My invention is not limited to these twoembodiments, and my invention may be otherwise practised.

I will describe these two disclosed embodiments in the specified order.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5, wherein the parts are shown of thehigh-speed grid shutter that is particularly adapted to be attached tothe lens barrel of the camera either in front or in back of the lensboard therefor, the outer cover of the shutter is indicated at 20, itbeing attached to the shutter frame by means of screws 2|, 22, 23. Thesaid cover 20 is provided with a central opening having a grid formationextending thereacross composed of grid bars 2|, 24. The purpose thereofis to protect the operating grid plates or leaves of the grid shutter.The grid shutter itself is provided with a setting or reset lever 25,the purpose whereof is to cock or set the shutter grid plates or leavesprior to an exposure. The grid shutter is released by means of a releaselever 28, thereby permitting the shutter grid plates or leaves to movein their functioning operations.

In Fig. 2, there are represented the three shutter grid plates or gridleaves superimposed upon each other, so that the various grid barsthereof overlap and exclude all light from the lens. The front gridplate or leaf is represented at 21. While it may be of any suitablematerial, it is preferably a very thin sheet metal, desirably berylliumcopper having a large central opening crossed by grid bars 22, 2|, andhaving elongated slots 28 and 20, 30, for guiding the said grid plate orleaf. Between the said slots II, 30 is a transversely extending slot IIwhich is of substantially an inverted or reversed 3 formation, andforming a cam or cam path for operating the said shutter plate or leaf21. Underlying the said front grid plate or leaf 21 is an intermediateor central stationary grid plate or leaf 32, shown separately in Fig. 4,and having grid bars 33, I3 and mounting holes 34 and II, 35. Betweenthe mounting holes 35, 25 is an arcuate slot 28 trans- 'verselyextending and providing clearance for the operating pin, to bedescribed. Underlying make use of per cent of the light produced by aphoto-flash bulb during its peak, whereas in the focal plane shutter,even with the long duration type of flash bulb, when making an exposureof ,5 of a second, the aperture only moves of the distance across thefocal plane. It is impossible in such case ever to obtain an efficiencyin the use of the illumination greater than 10 per cent.

I will now describe two embodiments of the mechanism of my invention,both involving a grid structure as an element of a new combination ofparts of elements for effecting synchronization of greatly increasedshutter speed. In the first embodiment thereof shown in Figs. 1 to 13a,the grid shutter is adapted to be attached to any lens mount, and thefocal plane shutter or the mirror of a reflex camera may be employed forcapping the grid shutter; and in the second embodiment thereof, shown inFigs. 14 to 19, the grid shutter (which, as to the details of theseveral elements or partsthereof. is of essentially the said centralstationary grid plate or leaf is the back grid plate or leaf 21,separately shown in Fig. 5 and having grid bars a, 38, an elongatedbottom slot 39, and, at the top, two elongated slots l0, 40 betweenwhich latter is a transversely extending cam or cam path formed as aslot of substantially S-shape similar to the slotv II, but oppositelydisposed. 'Actually in the disclosed construction, each of the flat gridbars 22, 22 and 22 has a transverse width that is three-fifths the widthof the adjacent space at either side of such bar.

Referring next to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, wherein certain of the parts areshown, the shutter mounting or back plate is shown at 42, ithaving acentrallyextending tubular portion'or barrel ll to which is attached amounting flange 44 having mounting ears 4!, ll and mounting holes 42,40. Also fitted to the said shutter mounting or back plate 42 is theshutter release lever 26 secured to said plate by a shoulder screw 41.On the opposite end of the said release lever 26 is provided in anysuitable way a release dog 48, the purpose of which is to engage andhold a shutter release pin 49 of the shutter setting or reset lever 25.Attached to the said shutter release pin 49 is a coiled spring 50wrapped partially about the shutter barrel 43 and held in position bymeans of a shoulder screw threaded into the shutter mounting or backplate 42. The said coiled spring 50 tends to move the shutter releasepin 49 in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 6. The shutter setting orreset lever is connected to a shutter setting ring 52, best shown inFig. 8, said shutter setting ring being fitted to a cylindricalprojection 53 of the shutter barrel 43, as most clearly shown in Figs. 7and 8. The said shutter mounting or back plate 42 has, as best shown inFig. 8, an arcuate slot 54 for the passage of the shutter release pin49. The said shutter setting ring 52, as shown in Fig. 8, is providedwith a cutaway segment 55 for engaging a bushing 56 of the shuttermounting or back' plate 42, thus 1im iting the movement of the saidshutter setting ring 52.

Inasmuch as the shutter release pin '49 is caused to turn in a clockwisedirection by the coiled spring 50, viewing Fig. 6, when the setting orreset lever 25 is moved in a contraclockwise direction, the said shutterrelease pin 49 will be engaged by the dog 48, thus holding said settinga or reset lever 25 in that position until released by the release lever26. The said dog 48 is caused to be turned in a contraclockwisedirection for engagement with the shutter release pin 49 when in the setcondition by a spring 51, shown in Figs.

6 and 7 as secured to the shutter mounting or back plate 42 by a screw58. The movement of the said shutter release lever 26 is limited by stoppins 26a, 26a, which are attached as shown in Fig. 6, to the shuttermounting or back plate 42. Also attached to the front face of the saidplate 42 are guide bushings 59 and. shown in Fig. 8.

Referring particularly to Fig. 7, the said shutter release pin 49extends through the slot 54 and is anchored to the shutter setting orreset lever 25 and projects therebeyond as a cylindrical finger 6|,passing through the cam slot or path 3| of the front grid plate or leaf21, through the clearance provided by the slot. 36 of the centralstationary grid plate or leaf 32 and through the cam path or formation4| of the back shutter grid plate or leaf 31. The slot 29 of the shuttergrid plate or leaf 21, the hole 34 of the shutter grid plate or leaf 32,andthe opening 39 of the shutter grid plate o leaf 31, are all placedover the guide stud or bushing 56, shown upon an enlarged scale in Fig.7. The said stud or bushing 56 is shown upon an enlarged scale in Fig.'7. The said stud or bushing 66 serves also as a spacer between theshutter mounting or back plate 42 and the shutter outer cover 20. Theelongated openings 30, 39 of the grid plate or leaf 21, the holes 35, ofthe shutter grid plate or leaf 32 and the elongated openings 40, of theand plate or leaf 31 are all placed over the guide studs 59, 60,respectively, and are so relatively positioned that the finger oroperating pin 6| passes-through the cam formation or path 3| of the gridplate or leaf 21, through the clearance opening 36 of the stationarygrid plate or leaf 32 and through the cam formation or path 4| of thegrid plate or leaf 31. As the shutter setting or reset lever 25 is inits released position, the several shutter grid plates or leaves arepositioned as shown in Fig.

7, and also in Fig. 11, wherein the front grid plate or leaf 21 is shownas having been moved downwardly under the influence of the operating pin6| and the-cam formation or path 3|. The

shutter grid plate or leaf 32, however, always remains fixed, beingmounted in a stationary position, and the shutter grid plate or leaf 31will have been moved upwardly under the influonce of the operating pin6| and the cam formation or path 4|, so that the several grid plates orleaves are positioned as shown in Figs. 7, 10 and 11.

If, now, the shutter setting or reset lever 25 is moved in a clockwisedirection viewing Fig. 1. the movable grid plates or leaves will bemoved to the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the grid plate or leaf 21is shown as moved upwardly under the influence of the operating pin 6|and of the cam formation or path 3|. The central shutter plate or leaf32, of course, remains stationary, and the back grid plate or leaf 31will be moved downwardly into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

When the shutter setting or reset lever 25 has been moved in a clockwisedirection to the position shown in Fig. 1, the shutter release pin 49will be engaged by the dog 48 of the release lever 26, and the severalgrid plates or leaves will be in the position shown in Fig. 2. The saidcylindrical operating pin 6|, which extends through the cam formationsor paths 3| and 4| and the clearance slot 36, will also be in theposition shown in Fig.- 2. When the shutter release lever 26 is pressed,thereby releasing the shutter release pin 49, the shutter setting orreset lever 25 will be moved in a contraclockwise direction, viewingFig. 1. Or in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 6, through theinstrumentality of the coiled spring 50. v

Inasmuch as the operating pin 6| is attached to the setting or resetlever 25, the said operating pin 6| will be caused to travel with thesetting or reset lever 25, namely, in a contraclockwise directionviewing Fig. 2, when the shutter release lever 26 has been depressed.When the said operating pi'n 6| reaches the position shown in Fig. 13,the grid plate or leaf 21 will be moved downward until the openingstherein coincide with the openings in the grid plate or leaf 32, and thegrid plate or leaf 31 will be moved upwardly until the openings thereincoincide with the openings in the grid plate or leaves 21 and 32. Thegrid shutter will then be in the full open position or condition shownin Fig. 12, the grid plates or leaves thereof being positioned as shownin Fig. 13, and the shutter setting or reset lever 25 will also be inthe position shown in Fig. 12.

As the said setting or reset lever 25 and the operating pin 6| continueto travel in a contraclockwise direction, viewing Fig. 12, until theposition shown in Fig. 10 is reached, the said. operating pin 6| willhave reached the position shown in Fig. 11, wherein the grid plat orleaf 21 is shown as moved all the way down, and the grid plate or leaf31 moved all the way up, thus completing the exposure. As the shuttersetting or reset lever 25 is moved in a clockwise direction, viewingFig. 1, carrying with it the operating finger 6|, the grid plates orleaves will be caused to be moved to the position shown in Fig. 2. Thatis to say; the grid shutter or leaf 21 will be moved all the way up andthe grid plate or leaf 31 will be moved all the way down, thus againclosing the grid shutter, but

operating pin 6| will be in the position shown in Fig. 2, andthe'release pin 43 will be engaged by the dogs 48, ready for a secondexposure.

The grid shutter just described and constituting a part of the saidflrst embodiment of my invention. is an attachment adapted to be placedon the lens barrel of a photographic lens as in Fig. 13a, and to be heldthereto by screws (not shown) passing through the holes 48, 48 01' thelugs 45, 45, into the usual lens board of the camera. If not othershutter is used in the camera, it would be necessary to put the darkslide in the plate holder when the grid shutter is reset for a secondexposure.

The grid shutter herein disclosed, however, is particularly well adaptedto be used on a reflex type of camera, especially when taking photoflashexposures, as the mirror of the said camera will then serve asa cappingmeans'when resetting the grid shutter and the grid shutter can beactuated or released for exposure by any well known or suitable means,such as by the use of the magnet of a synchronizer tripper that isdisclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 346,395, filed July 19,1940, and an electrical contact can be made when the pivoted mirror ofthe camera reaches a point close to the end of its travel in an upwarddirection.

Such method of operation and such construction, arrangement and relationof parts are indicated and shown in Fig. 13a, wherein the casing orframe of a reflex camera of the well known Graflex type is indicated at82, it having a pivoted mirror 63, a mirror reset arm or lever 64, amirror holding latch 85 supported on a shoulder screw 66, a mirrorrelease lever 61 having fast therewith a shaft 88 suitably mounted inthe casing of the camera, and a second lever 89 fast on the shaft 68.When the mirror release lever 67 is depressed, the shaft 68 is turnedthereby in a clockwise direction, carrying with it the said second lever69 which engages one end 01' the mirror holding latch 65, causing it toturn in a contraclockwise direction, thereby releasing the pivotedmirror 63, shown as mounted fast for rocking movement upon a shaft 10,thus causing said mirror to swing upwardly under the influence of aspring (not shown), but well known in the art. As the said mirror 83swings upwardly, turning the shaft 18, the mirror reset arm or lever 64will be caused to turn in a contraclcckwise direction, and when saidmirror reaches the end of its upward travel, the shutter curtain II willbe released and allowed to run down. The structure of such shuttercurtain and its manner of operation are well known in the art.

When preparing the camera for an exposure, the said shutter curtain 1|is wound to the open condition, indicated on the shutter speed dial bythe letter O," the mirror having been.

previously reset. While the shutter curtain II is in the open condition,light cannot reach the sensitized material inasmuch as the mirror 63intercepts any light coming through the object lens, and deflects it tothe usual focusing screen or ground glass 12. The said reflex camera isequipped with the usual lens barrel 13 and lens board 14, and to theforward portion of the said lens barrel 63 there is attached the gridshutter of the said disclosed embodiment of my invention. There is alsoattached to the lens board '14 a magnetic tripper by means of a b acketThe 75 I8 secured to the lens board by screw 11.

' restoring it to the set condition in which the said magnetic tripperhas a connecting link I8 secured to the shutter release lever 26 of t."a grid shutter, shown in detail in Figs. 1 to 13, by means of a shoulderscrew 19, shown in Fig. 14 as passing through a hole 80 therein (that isshown in Figs. 1, 6, 10 and 12 in the said release lever 26).

In order to make an exposure, the shutter setting or reset lever 25 isturned in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. l, themirror 63 having been previously set in the position shown in Fig. 130and the shutter curtain 1| being moved or adjusted to the open"position. When the said mirror release lever 61 is released, thusreleasing the mirror 83, the latter swings upwardly, turning the shaft10 and the mirror reset arm or lever 64, which latter will engage theinsulating button 8| of the contact arm 82, shown in Fig. 13a asattached to the camera casing 82 by wood screws 83, 83, thus causing thecontact or terminal 84 to engage the contact or terminal screw 85threaded into a contact screw supporting member 86 secured to the cameracasing 62 by wood screws 81, 81, thus completing a circuit through thewire 88 attached to the contact screw supporting member or block 86, themagnetic tripper 15, the wire 90, the battery 8|, the wire 92 and thecontact arm 82. Attached to the wire 90 is a wire 93 connected to oneterminal of the flash bulb 94, and to the wire 89 is connected a wire 95that is itself connected to the other terminal of the flash bulb 94.

In the said first embodiment of my invention, I have disclosed verysimple but accurately functioning means for completing the circuitthrough a magnetic tripper such as shown at 15 in Fig.

13a, for the purpose of actuating the movable parts or elements of thegrid shutter. It will be apparent, however, that within the scope andpurpose of my invention, the grid shutter may be actuated in a greatmany different ways. For example, the electrical contacting mechanismshown in the patent to Torkel Korling, No. 2,029,238, dated January 28,1936, may be used.

The second embodiment of my invention is shown in Figs. 14 to 19 of thedrawings, wherein the grid type of shutter herein disclosed in Figs.

1 to 13 is attached to a conventional betweenthe-lens shutter. For thepurpose of fully disclosing such second embodiment of my invention, 1'.have elected to show a shutter of the well known Compur type, but withinthe scope of my invention, any suitable type of between-the-lens shuttermay be used.

Referring to said Figs. 14 to 19, the betweenthe-lens shutter isdesignated generally at 98 and the conventional lens board at 91, theshutter being mounted thereon and having a rear lens element 98protruding through the lens board 81. The said between-the-lens shutter88 is provided with the usual reset lever 99 and the usual release leverI00. In order to operate the shutter by remote control or in synchronismwith a photo-flash bulb, I have provided a magnetic tripper IlHpreferably of the general structure previously referred to in theexplanation of one use of the grid shutter of my invention, and I haveprovided a mechanical connection I82 for the purpose of connecting anarmature of the said tripper IOI to the shutter release lever "III. Thesaid magnetic tripper is secured to the lens board 91 by a bracket I83held to the said lens board by screws "13a. Attached to the front lenscell of the between-the-lens shutter 98 is the grid shutter, indicatedgenerally at I04, which is preferably of substantially the structureherein disclosed in connection with the first embodiment of my inventiondisclosed in Figs. 1 to 13, certain of the elements or parts of the saidgrid shutter being preferably slightly modifled in attaching said gridshutter to a betweenthe-lens shutter, as will now be described.

The grid shutter of the second embodiment of my invention is actuated bythe between-thelens shutter 96, and therefore it is not equipped with aseparate setting and releasing means. Furthermore, the shutter. gridplates or leaves are also modified in that only one guiding slot I05 isprovided, as shown in Fig. 18, and the further guiding of the plates orleaves is obtained by the flattened edges I06, I06, shown in saidfigure. Such grid shutter of the second embodiment of my invention isprovided with three grid plates or leaves respectively having the camformations or slots, shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. The gridshutter is also provided with a back flange I01, shown in Fig. 15, whichis clamped to the front lens cell of the camera by means of clampingscrews I08, I08, Fig. 14. The back flange I! is secured to a back plate(not shown, but which is of a construction similar to that shown in Fig.8 hereof). The shutter grid plates or leaves are placed between the saidback plate and the shutterfront cover plate I09 that is held to the backplate by screws H0. The said shutter front cover plate I09 is providedwith an elongated segmental opening III for receiving the shutter gridplates or leavesoperating pin H2. The grid shutter is provided, as inthe first embodiment of my invention, with three grid plates or leaves,namely, a movable outer or front grid plate or leaf, a stationary.

central grid plate or leaf and a movable back grid plate or leaf, thesaid outer grid plate or leaf having grid bars H3, the said central gridplate or leaf having grid bars Ill and the back grid plate or leafhaving grid bars H5.

' In Fig. 14, the between-the-lens shutter c,0ck-.

ing or setting or resetting lever 99, which is more fully indicated inFig. 15, has been turned in a clockwise direction until thebetween-the-lens shutter is set, thus carrying with it the grid shutteroperating pin H2, and during this cycle the grid bars II3 have beenmoved in an upward direction and the grid bars in a downward direction,thus completely closing the shutter opening.

In Fig. 16; however, the between-the-lens shutter has been released bythe magnetic tripper IM and the shutter tripper lever I00, so that thebetween-the-lens shutter 96 is fully opened, and the grid bars II3, IN,II 5 all overlie each other, thereby providing maximum openings, and theshutter grid operating pin H2 has traveled to a central position in theslot III.

In Fig. 17, the grid operating pin II2 has, however, traveled all theway to the end of the said' slot III, thus again moving the outer gridbars I I3 in adownward direction, and the back grid bars H5 in an upwarddirection, such motion continuing until the grid bars I I3, H4 and H5completely close the said openings.

It will be understood that I have thus provided means for converting aconventional betweenthe-lens shutter having a set lever into an ultrahigh-speed shutter having the grid plates of the v grid shutter of myinvention operated by the usual between-the-lens shutter, and I desireto claim broadly means for accomplishing this generic result. Othermeans than those shown vided for this purpose.

Making reference to Fig. 19., there is therein shown a camera designatedgenerally at IIG, which may be of any suitable type (whether Graphic,Graflex or other type)-, and which has been equipped, in accordance withmy invention, with a between-the-lens shutter 96 and an auxiliary gridshutter such as herein disclosed and provided with the magnetic tripperIOI connected to the battery case III by means of a cable IIB. Desirablythe battery case has the usual reflector H9 and there is provided asuitable ilash bulb I20. It will be understood, however, that within thescope of'my invention, the shutters of this embodiment of my inventionmay beoperated by manual pressure on the shutter release lever I00 ofFig. 15, when photo-flash bulbs are not used, or the usual cable releasecan be used for making exposures when the flash synchronizer is notbeing used. It is to be understood that the synchronization may beeffected in any suitable manner and that I need not employ for thatpurpose a magnetic tripper, but may provide any suitable means whetherelectrical or otherwise for accomplishing this result.

By means of the structure shownin Figs. 14 to 19, and constituting thesecond embodiment of my invention, it is possible to make photo-flashexposures of a duration of A000 of a second or less, using theconventional between-the-lens shutter as a capping means for the gridshutter time the shutter leaves of the between-the-lens shutter haveagain closed.

Inasmuch as in the grid shutter which constitutes an element of the newcombination herein claimed as a feature of my invention, I useapproximately only one third of such travel in order fully to open andfully to close the said grid shutter, the exposure made by the gridshutter will be approximately three times as fast as the exposure madeby the between-the-lens shutter. Thus, if the between-the-lens shutteris set for nto of a second, the actual exposure obtained by said g idshutter will be A900 second, and inasmuch as the leaves of thebetween-the-lens shutter are fully opened between the period of openingand closing of the grid shutter, the leaves of the be-' tween-the-lensshutter inno way restrict the passage of light through the grid shutteras it opens-and closes.

Both'embodiments of my invention provide respectively a new combinationwherein the grid shutter cooperates in securing a new result, andwhereby there is secured a greatly increased speed of exposure insynchronization with the peak of the illumination of the photo-flashlamp.

In each of said embodiments I combine the grid shutter with anothershutter of the camera, and

in each of said embodiments I synchronize the grid shutter and suchother shutter of the camera with the peak of the flash of thephoto-flash bulb,

and in doing so obtain an exposure that is very the duration of flash isnot long enough to give a complete exposure, but when using the gridshutter in combination with the focal plane shutter, a wide openaperture of the focal plane shutter can be used, and the actual exposurewill be controlled by the grid shutter. This is a very important featureof the invention, and within the scope thereof any suitable constructionof grid shutter may be employed as an element of the combination so longas the structure of such grid shutter is capable of producing thedesired result.

Referring to the second embodiment of the invention, I have alreadypointed out that by employing a grid shutter in the new combination, Ican obtain an exposure approximately three times as fast as the exposuremade by a betweenthe-lens shutter alone. If, for example, with abetween-the-lens shutter, I obtain an exposure around time of a second,I am enabled by the new combination, which includes the grid shutter inco-action with a between-the-lens shutter, to get an exposureapproximately three times faster.

Referring again to the second embodiment of the invention, if I shoulduse a Grafiex type of camera (as illustrated diagrammatically, forexample, in Fig. 13a of the drawings) and employ a synchronizer and usethe ordinary flash-bulb therein, it would be impossible, in the absenceof the grid shutter (and while the illumination of the flash bulb is atits peak) to cover fully the plate orfilm during the shutter travel, forthe reason that the duration of flash produced by such a bulb is not ofsufficient length to allow the shutter aperture to travel all the wayacross the focal plane while the illumination of the bulb issubstantially at its peak. Thus, the resulting negative would not beuniformly exposed. It has heretofore been a common practice to use thefull aperture of the focal plane shutter curtain when making flashexposures, and to use the duration of the flash of the bulb to controlthe time of ex- Dosure; that is, the focal plane shutter curtain wouldbe maintained fully open and the exposure continues as long as theeffectiveness of the flashlight endures.

Some bulbs are now manufactured with a very short flash of about ioo ofa second. When sp cial bulbs were used having a long duration of flash,the focal plane shutter could be used to give very rapid exposurebecause the flash was long enough for the narrow aperture of the focalplane shutter curtain to pass all the way across the focal plane. Since,however, only a very narrow portion of the negative is exposed at atime, as the curtain aperture passes across the focal plane, the lightis necessarily used in a very inefiicient manner. Thus, for example, ifthe total area at the focal plane were 4 inches and a Vs inch curtainaperture were used, the total amount of light reaching the sensitizedarea would, of course, be the total light produced by the photofiashlamp divided by 32, inasmuch as only Va inch of the area is exposed atany one time and the light would have to be maintained while the curtaintravels 4 inches. Thus the efliciency of such old combination of partswas very low.

By providing a grid shutter as an element in the new combination andemploying a tripper to be operated from the circuit, the full curtainaperture of the focal plane shutter can be used, and the grid shutter issynchronized with the peak of the photo-flash lamp, so that a very highshutter speed can be secured, with a very high efficiency.

A new result is obtained by'the new combination which includes in eachembodiment of my invention some existing shutter of the camera, with asecond shutter, the latter being of the grid type, both said shuttersbeing synchronized with the flash of the photo-flash bulb, the other orpreviously existing shutter just referred to being, in the firstembodiment of the invention, disclosed as a focal plane shutter, and inthe second embodiment of the invention being disclosed as abetween-the-lens shutter.

In referring to another or previously existing shutter of thecamera asused in the new combination with a grid shutter, such other shuttermight be any suitable type, either of the focal plane type or of thebetween-the-lens type. With any acceptable between-the-lens shutter ofthe general character disclosed by me, the inclusion in the newcombination of a grid shutter will result in speeding up the shutteraction by a factor of at least three, and synchronization is obtainedwith the peak of the illumination of the photoilash lamp in such case.

I have by way of illustration referred to a fisure of km of a second, asI believe this is actually about the fastest speed that can be obtainedby commercially available between-the-lens shutters. Somebetween-the-lens shutters are marked /400 of a second, and if they doobtain a speed of ,400 of a second, by my new combination employing agrid shutter and such between-thelens shutter, I obtain a speed of /1200of a second and effect synchronization of the peak of the illuminationof the photo-flash lamp therewith.

While the main function of the other shutter of the camera, to which Ihave referred as present in both embodiments of my invention, is to capthe lens while the grid shutter is being reset, that is not the onlyfunction of such other shutter in the combination. This is evident fromthe fact that in the second embodiment of the invention the mechanism ofthe between-the-lens shutter actually operates the grid shutter, and inthe first embodiment of the invention some of the operating parts of thefocal plane shutter initiate the operation of the grid shutter. That isto say, referring to said first embodiment of my invention, in a cameraof the Graflex type the mirror actually releases the shutter andtherefore becomes a part of the shutter mechanism.

Referring to the focal plane shutter, as in a Graflex focal planeshutter type of camera, the focal plane shutter is released by themirror, which controls the contacts for flashing the photo-flash lampand actuating the magnetic tripper. This entire cycle takes place veryfast, the mirror acting as a release lever for the focal plane shutter,the latter being automatically opened by the curtain roller spring andthecontact timing on the mirror is such that the flash lamp will beignited about the time the focal plane shutter curtain reaches a fullopen condition, and in the new combination herein disclosed the gridshutter, being controlled by the same circuit, is caused to functionwhile the focal plane shutter I time that of a second.

shutter reaches the wide open condition.

It is not necessary that the focal plane shutter be of any particulartype. It might, for example, be of the typedisclosed in the patent toEdson S. Hineline, No. 2,242,124, May 13, 1941, or of any other suitabletype.

When employing the grid shutter on a camera of the Speed Graphic type,as in said second embodiment of the invention, contact is obtained foroperating the grid shutter by some operating part of the shuttermechanism of the other shutter of the camera, and therefore in such casesuch other shutter is more than merely a capping means.

As already stated, when using a between-thelens shutter in the newcombination, that contains also the gridshutter, I increase the speed ofthe between-the-lens shutter by the factor of three, and the samesynchronizer that synchronizes the between-the-lens shutter alsosynchronizes the grid shutter. The peak of the illumination of the flashis narrow and the said three times greater speed would result in the useof only that part of the light which is at or very close to the peak ofthe flash. Therefore, the light is used at a greater efficiency thanheretofore.

In both said embodiments of:-"the invention (that is, whether using thebetween-the-lens shutter or the focal plane shutter as the other shutterof the camera in the new combination), such other shutter must be and isin the full open condition during the exposure cycle of the gridshutter. That is to say, the greater part of the the grid shutter is inoperation, the between-the-lens shutter leaves are fully open and Y instationary condition, even though such stoppage of the shutter leaves isa very small fraction In describing the two embodiments of my inventionherein shown, I have referred to three grid plates or leaves, oneofwhich is stationary and two of which are movable. Within the broad scopeand purpose of my invention, other number of shutter grid plates orleaves may be employed, but a two-grid plate or leaf obviously functionswith less efliciency than a three-grid plate or leaf, because admittingonly fifty per cent of the light, and if a greater number of plates orleaves than three be provided, the grid bars thereof would necessarilybe of such flimsy or delicate character as to render their use lessdesirable than the use of three grid plates or leaves which I have foundin actual test to entirely satisfactory.

The grid bars of the several grid plates or leaves may be arrangedeither upright or horizontal, or at any angle therebetween, within thescope of my invention. I have shown'the grid prove bars horizontal inthe first embodiment, and I have shown them inclined in the secondembodiment. While I have, in the two disclosed embodiments of myinvention, shown one of the grid plates or leaves as always stationary,I may for some purposes, within the broad scope of my invention, makeall the grid plates or leaves movable, as by entirely omitting thestationary leaf or plate, or moving it to and fro in substantially thesame manner as-the herein shown movable plates or leaves. I prefer,however, to employ a stationary grid plate or leaf as herein disclosed,without limiting myself thereto.

grid

makes possible the greatest amount of light passage to the lens of thecamera at a speed of second.

In the said two embodiments of my invention, I have disclosed means forpractising a new method, process or art of high-speed photography, as bythe use of my method photographs can be made when using the ordinarycommercial and readily available photo-flash lamps to obtain speeds of$6 00 second, and at the same time securing fully timed negatives. Inaccordance with my invention, I provide in a photographic camera fo thepurpose of obtaining ultra high-speed shutter effects in synchronizationwith the flash of a photoflash lamp means for effecting thefollowingsteps or functions: (1) actuating a primary or firstphotographic shutter of normal speed; (2) synchronizing such primary orfirst photographic shutter with the flashing of a photoflash lamp insuitable juxtaposition thereto; and (3) causing the operation of asecondary shutter in the same photographic camera in synchronism withsaid flash while the said first shutter is itself fully opened and theillumination of the photoflash lamp is substantially at its peak,

thereby securing a speed of exposure of the sensitized material held inthe camera, which speed is a plurality of times faster than could besecured by the action of said first shutter alone. I believe that I amthe first to provide a camera shutter working near the nodal point ofthe lens to obtain speed anywhere near such value.

Having thus described two embodiments of the mean-s or mechanism of myinvention, by means of which the method, process or art thereof may bepractised, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms areemployed, they are used in a generic or descriptive sense, and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth inthe following claims.

I claim:

1. In photographic equipment, in combination, for the purpose of therebyeffecting synchronization between the flash of a photofiash lamp whensubstantially at its peak-and very rapid shutter exposure, the followingelements: a camera casing having a lens barrel with an objective lens; aphotoflash lamp and an electric circuit including said lamp and alsoincluding contacts adapted to be opened and closed; a grid shuttermounted on the said lens barrel, and therefore close to the saidobjective lens; release means for the said grid shutter; and means inthe said circuit caused to be operated upon the closing of said contactsto operate the said grid shutter; said camera having another shutterwith means for operating the same, the said operation causing theclosing of said contacts which are so positioned and so operated withrespect to and in timed relation to the said grid shutter that suchother shutter constitutes capping means for the said grid shutter.

2. A combination according to claim 1, but in which the grid shutter iscomposed of a plurality of plates, at least one of which is stationaryand the remainder movable, and all of which plates are provided withspaced grid bars.

3. In photographic equipment, a photo-flash lamp, a camera having a gridshutter, a betweenthe-lens shutter carried by the camera in proximity tosaid grid shutter, operating means for said between-tl'ie-lens shutter,co-acting means between the between-the-lens shutter and said gridshutter for operating said grid shutter, and means so to synchronize themovements of said shutters and the flash of the photo-flash lamp thatthe grid shutter exposure is made while the leaves of thebetween-the-lens shutter are fully open, and while the flash of saidlamp is sub stantially at its peak.

4. A combination according to claim 3, but in which conjoint operatingmeans are employed for both said shutters.

In photographic equipment, a combination according to claim 3, butwherein the release means for the between-the-lens shutter; constitutesmeans also to operate the grid shutter.

6. A combination according to claim 1, but in which the camera isprovided with a focal plane shutter constituting such other shutter andconstituting capping means for said grid shutter.

7. A combination according to claim 1, but in which the camera is areflex camera, the movable mirror whereof constitutes capping means forsaid grid shutter.

8. Photographic equipment comprising a camera having a between-the-lensshutter and also a grid shutter mounted at the lens barrel of theobjective lens and a photo-flash lamp and means for synchronizing inaction the grid shutter and the photo-flash lamp and operativelyconnected with the between-the-lens shutter, thereby to make an exposureby the grid shutter when the leaves of the between-the-lens shutter arefully open, and the flash of the photo-flash lamp is substantially atits peak.

9. A combination according to claim 3, but in which synchronization iseffected in the operation of said parts by a magnetic tripper.

10. A camera of the reflex type having a lens barrel and objective lensand having a movable mirror'and a focal plane shutter, the operationwhereof is initiated by the mirror and also having a grid shutter closeto the objective lens and operable with a wide-openaperture of the focalplane shutter, said grid shutter consisting of a plurality of gridplates at least one of which is movable, said focal plane shutter actingas capr ping means for said grid shutter, means operatively associatedwith said grid shutter and said mirror to effect the making of anexposure through said grid shutter by movement of said mirror, aphoto-flash lamp in electric circuit with said grid shutter operatingmeans, and means for synchronizing the flash of the said lamp and theexposure movement of said grid shutter, said means including electricalcontacts in said circuit and including the said movable mirror of thecamera, acting in its movement to complete the circuit through saidcontacts.

11. A combination according to claim 10, but in which a magnetic tripperis employed to operate the grid shutter by the closing of-said circuit.

12. In combination, a photographic camera having a between-the-lensshutter, a grid shutter attached to said between-the-lens shutter andoperated thereby, a photo-flash lamp having in electrical circuittherewith a battery and a magnetic tripper, and means for so controllingsaid circuit and operating said parts that the betweenthe-lens shutteris caused to be in open condition during the exposure movement of saidgrid shutter.

13. In photographic equipment and in combination, for the purpose ofthereby effecting synchronization between the flash of a. photofiashlamp when substantially at its peak and the very rapid exposure of ahigh speed camera shutter, so as to stop motion without displacement ordistortion of the image, the following elements: 8. camera casing havinga lens board and lens barrel with an objective lens; a photoiiash lampand an electric circuit including said lamp and also including contactsadapted to be closed and opened to change the condition of said circuit;a magnetic tripper at the lens board and included in said circuit, foroperating the shutter, a release lever for said shutter and in operativerelation to said magnetic tripper; a grid shutter mounted on the saidlens barrel and therefore close to the objective lens, and operated bysaid magnetic tripper; said grid shutter having a pill-- rality ofshutter plates in face to face relation and each provided witha.plurality of spaced, elongated, parallel openings, and at least one ofsaid plates having an operating formation; operating means to engagesaid formation and itself.

operatively associated with said magnetic tripper and said releaselever, thereby to impart bodily movement to at least One of such platesin a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise directionof the openings thereof.

14. A combination according to claim 13, but in which one of the saidgrid plates is mounted in a stationary condition.

15. A combination according to claim 13, but in which the said gridshutter comprises three such grid plates, one of said plates beingmounted in a stationary condition and the two other plates haveoperating formations compelling movement of said plates alwaysoppositely to each other.

16. In photographic equipment and in combination, for the purpose ofthereby effecting synchronization between the flash of a photofiash lampwhen substantially at its peak and the very rapid exposure of a highspeed camera shutter, so as to stop motion without displacement ordistortion of the image, the following elements: a camera casing havinga lens board and lens barrel with an obective lens, a photofiash lampand an electric circuit including said lamp and also including contactsadapted to be closed and opened to change the condition of said circuit;a grid shutter mounted on the said lens barrel and therefore close tothe objective lens;

a release lever for the said grid shutter; said grid shutter having aplurality of shutter plates in face to face relation and each providedwith a plurality of spaced, elongated, parallel openings, and at leastone of said plates having an operating formation; operating means toengage said formation and itself operatively associated with saidrelease lever, thereby to impart bodily movement to at least one of suchplates in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthwisedirection of the openings thereof.

17. In photographic equipment and in combination, for the purpose ofthereby effecting synchronization between the flash of a photoflash lampwhen substantially at its peak and the very rapid exposure of a highspeed camera shutter, so as to stop motion without displacement ordistortion of the image, the following elements: a camera casing havinga lens board and lens barrel with an objective lens; a. photoflash lampand an electric circuit including said lamp and also including contactsadapted to be closedandopenedtochangethecouditionof said circuit; a gridshutter mounted on the said lens barrel and therefore close to theobjective lens, a release lever for the said grid shutter, and means inthe said electrical circuit for operat ing said release lever; said gridshutter having a plurality of shutter plates in face to face relationand each provided with a plurality of spaced, elongated, parallelopenings, and at least one of said plates having an operating formation;operating means to engage said formation and itself operativelyassociated with said release lever, thereby to impart bodily movement toat least one of such plates in a direction substantially perpendicularto the lengthwise direction of the openings thereof.

18. A combination according to claim 13, but in which the lens barrel onwhich said grid shutter is mounted is also provided with abetween-the-lens shutter, the leaves whereof are fully open between theperiod of opening and closing of the grid shutter, and therefore do notrestrict the passage of light through the grid shutter, and whichbetween-the-lens shutter acts as capping means for said grid shutter.

19. A combination according to claim 13, but in which the lens barrel onwhich said grid shutter is mounted is also provided with abetween-the-lens shutter, the leaves whereof are fully open between theperiod of opening and closing of the grid shutter and therefore do notrestrict the passage of light through the grid shutter, and in which thesaid between-the-lens shutter has a resetting lever operativelyconnected with the movable plate or plates of the grid shutter tooperate the same from the between-the-lens shutter in the saidcoordinated relation thereto.

20. A combination according to claim 13, but in which the lens barrel onwhich said grid shutter is mounted is also provided with abetween-thelens shutter, the leaves whereof are fully open between theperiod of opening and closing of movement to at least one of such platesin a direction substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise directionsof said parallel openings; and means to effect synchronization betweenthe peak of the flash of said photo-flash lamp and to efiectsynchronization also including a magnetic tripper in said circuit causedto be operated upon the closing of said contacts, and a release devicefor said grid shutter.

the grid shutter and therefore do not restrict the passage of light,through said grid shutter, and in which the said grid shutter isoperated by a member of the said between-the-lens shutter, therebyproviding an ultra high speed shutter in which the exposure made by thegrid shutter is approximately three times as fast as the exposure madeby the between-the-lens shutter.

21. A combination according to claim 13, but in which the camera is areflex camera having a focal plane shutter curtain and a mirror pivotedfor swinging movement, wherebythe said shutter curtain or said mirrormay be employed to cap the said grid shutter.

22. A combination according to claim 13, but in which the release leveris connected to the grid shutter and the magnetic tripper is connectedto the said release lever.

23. In photographic equipment and in combination, for the purpose ofthereby effecting synchronization between the flash of a photo-' flashlamp when substantially at its peak and very rapid shutter exposure, thefollowing elements: 9. camera having a lens barrel and having a shutter;a grid shutter constituting a second shutter for said'camera; said gridshutter being i mounted on the said lens barrel and itself COm-r prisinga plurality of shutter plates having a face to face relation and eachprovided with a plurality of spaced. elongated, parallel openings, atleast one of said plates having an operating formation, with operatingmeans to engage said formation or formations, thereby to impart bodily24. In photographic equipment and in combination, for the purpose ofthereby eil'ecting synchronization between the flash of a photoflashlamp when substantially at its peak and very rapid shutter exposure, thefollowing elements; a camera having a lens barrel structure with lens; afirst shutter supported for operation in said camera; a grid shutterconstituting a second shutter for said camera, mounted at the lensbarrel structure, and therefore close to the objective lens of thecamera; an electric circuit including said photo-flash lamp and alsoincluding contacts adapted to be closed to complete the circuit to saidflash lamp; release means for the said grid shutter; and means in thesaid circuit caused to be operated upon the closing of said contacts tooperate said grid shutter and said flrst shutter in the said timedrelation to effectthe opening of said grid shutter while said firstshutter is open, and thereby to secure synchronization of a mor rapidshutter exposure, that is the resultant of the said shutter opening ofsaid two shutters in the herein described relation,

lens; a between-the-lens shutter supported for operation in said cameraand constituting a first shutter therefor; a grid shutter mounted at thelens barrel structure and constituting a second shutter for said cameraand by which the exposure is effected; an electric circuit includingsaid photo-flash lamp and also including contacts adapted to be closedto complete the circuit to said flash lamp; and means in said circuit tobe operated upon the closing of said contacts for synchronizing saidbetween-the-lens shutter and the flash of said photoflash lamp and foroperating-said grid shutter so as also to be synchronizedwith saidflash, thereby making the exposure by thegrid shutter at the instant,the leaves of the between-the-lens shutter are fully opened and theflash of the photoflash lamp is substantially following elee obtained bysaid first shuthic equipment and in combiglose of thereby effecting synv:1 the flash of a photofiash tially at its peel: and very ore, greatlyincreased of a single shutter of a camera, merits; a shutter supportedfor camera and constituting a first r; a photofiash lamp and an elecsaid lamp and with operatrst shutter, said circuit being contacts to beopened and ter closely adjacent to said 5, e2 l l eons said circuit tobe operated Y closing oi said contacts for synchronizshutter and thedash of said photoml for operating said. grid shutter so be synchronizedwith said fiash, therer g exposure by said grid shutter the shutter isitself fully open a l while illumination of said photoflash lamp issubstantially at its peak, thereby secur mg a of exposure of thesensitized material c is a plurality of times faster than could besecured by a single shutter of the between-thes type if used in saidcamera, and without dission of the resulting photograph.

In photographic equipment and in combination, for the purpose of therebyeiiecting syncl ronization between the flash of a photofiash lamp whensubstantially at its peak and the very rapid exposure of a high speedcamera shutter, so as to stop motion without displacement or distortionof the image, th following elements: a camera casing having a lens boardand lens barrel with an objective lens; a shutter sup:

ported for operation in the camera and constitilting a first shutter; aphotoflash lamp and an electric circuit including said lamp and alsoincluding contacts adapted to be closed and opened to change thecondition of said circuit; means at, the lens board and included in saidcircuit, for operating said first shutter, a release lever tor mid firstshutter and in operative relation to said means; a grid shutter mountedon the said lens barrcl'and therefore close to the objective lens, andoperated by said means at the lens board for c is by comparisonmaterially speed of exposure of operating the first shutter; said gridshutter having a plurality of shutter plates in face to face relationand each provided with a plurality of spaced, elongated, parallelopenings, and at least one of said plates having an operating formationor formations; operating means to engage said formation and itselfoperatively associated with said means at the lens board for operatingthe first shutter and said release lever, thereby to impart bodilymovement to at least one of such plates in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the openings thereof.

29. In photographic equipment and in combination, for the purpose ofthereby effecting symchronization between the flash of a photoflash lampwhen substantially at its peak, with very rapid shutter exposure, at anincreased speed over that of a single shutter of a camera, the followingelements; a camera equipped with a. lens, and a between-the-lensshutter, and with a second shutter also supported for operation in saidcamera and capable of substantially more rapid exposures than saidbetween-the-lens shutter; an electrical circuit having included thereina photoflash lamp, a battery, a magnetic tripper,

and electrical contacts. the closing of which latter completes the saidelectrical circuit to operate said between-the-lens shutter and to flashthe said lamp; together with mechanical connections between the saidbetween-the-lens shutter and the said second shutter, thereby to operatesaid second shutter in timed relation to the functioning of saidbetween-the-lens shutter and in synchronlsm with the flashing of saidphotofiesh lamp, so as thereby to obtain an exposure which is bycomparison materially faster than could be obtained by saidbetween-tbc-lens shutter alone. i

30. In a camera, photographic mechanism for the purpose of obtainingultra high-speed chutter effects in synchronism with the flashing o! aphotoflash lamp, which comprises the following: (1) a primary or firstphotographic shutter of normal speed in said camera: (2) a photofiashlamp located in suitable juxtaposition to such primary or firstphotographic shutter: (3) a secondary shutter in the said photographiccamera; and (4) means including means to operate said first; shutter,and operatively co-related together in action to cause the operation ofsaid secondary shutter in synchronism with the flash of said photoflashlamp while the said first shutter is itself fully opened by its saidoperating means. and the illumination of said photofiash lamp issubstantially at its peak, thereby securing, through suchco-related-in-actlon means, a the sensitized material in the camera thatis a plurality of times faster than could be secured by such firstshutter alone.

OSCAR BTW

